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Gurnee motorcyclist dies from crash injuries

Waukegan police announced Friday an upgraded reckless homicide charge was filed against a woman accused of being drunk when she caused a Gurnee motorcyclist to crash.

Vincent Turner, 48, died Thursday at Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville from a head injury he suffered in the spill, Lake County Coroner Dr. Richard Keller said. Police said the crash occurred about 5:40 p.m. Tuesday.

Waukegan police Cmdr. Gabriel Guzman said Turner was not wearing a helmet.

Christine Otis, 34, of the 2400 block of Poplar Street in Waukegan, was charged with reckless homicide after the Lake County state's attorney's office was notified of Turner's death. Otis initially was charged with aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol.

Police said Turner was riding a Harley-Davidson motorcycle south on Green Bay Road near Grand Avenue when Otis pulled in front of him in a Chevrolet Suburban. Otis was driving west on Duggald Avenue.

Turner swerved to avoid Otis' sport utility vehicle, but lost control and crashed, authorities said.

Otis was released after posting 10 percent of a $25,000 bond for the aggravated DUI charge. Guzman said even with the upgraded reckless homicide charge, she remained free Friday pending her next appearance in Lake County circuit court.